Rheumatology and Immunology Practice Questions

Q: A 65-year-old man with history of back pain since 3 months. ESR is raised. On examination marked stiffness and mild restriction of chest movements is found. On x-ray, syndesmophytes are present in vertebrae. Diagnosis is -

Ankylosing spondylitis. ***Ankylosing spondylitis*** - The presence of **syndesmophytes** on X-ray, in conjunction with **back pain**, **stiffness**, and **restricted chest movements**, are hallmark features of ankylosing spondylitis [1]. Also a **raised ESR** is consistent. - This chronic inflammatory disease primarily affects the **axial skeleton**, leading to fusion of vertebrae and progressive stiffness [1]. *Lumbar canal stenosis* - This condition involves **narrowing of the spinal canal**, which typically causes **radicular pain**, neurogenic claudication, and weakness in the legs [2]. - It does not present with restricted chest movements or syndesmophytes, and a raised ESR is not a typical finding. *Degenerative osteoarthritis of spine* - Characterized by **bone spurs (osteophytes)** and **disc space narrowing** due to wear and tear, rather than syndesmophytes. - While it causes back pain and stiffness, it typically does not lead to significant restriction of chest movements or a markedly elevated ESR associated with systemic inflammation. *Ankylosing hyperosteosis* - Also known as **Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis (DISH)**, characterized by **flowing ossification along the anterior longitudinal ligament** primarily on the right side of the spine [2]. - While it can cause stiffness and back pain, it generally does not involve a significantly elevated ESR or cause the same degree of restricted chest movement as true ankylosing spondylitis.

Q: Based on 1990 ACR criteria, the diagnosis of fibromyalgia is made in patients with a history of diffuse musculoskeletal pain and which of the following physical findings:

11 of 18 tender points. ***11 of 18 tender points*** - The 1990 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for fibromyalgia require a history of **widespread pain** for at least 3 months and pain in **11 of 18 specific tender points** on digital palpation [1]. - These tender points are symmetrical and located in areas such as the **occiput**, low cervical, trapezius, supraspinatus, second rib, lateral epicondyle, gluteal, greater trochanter, and knee [1]. *Symmetrical joint tenderness* - While patients with fibromyalgia experience widespread pain, the diagnostic criteria focus on **tender points** in soft tissues, not typically tenderness within the joint capsules themselves [1], [2]. - **Joint tenderness** can be a feature of inflammatory arthritis, which is a different condition. *Muscle weakness* - **Muscle weakness** is not a primary diagnostic criterion for fibromyalgia; patients report pain and fatigue, but objective weakness is generally not present [2]. - Muscular pain and fatigue in fibromyalgia are due to altered pain processing, not primary muscle pathology leading to weakness [1]. *Multiple areas of tendonitis* - Although patients with fibromyalgia may experience localized pain that can sometimes be mistaken for **tendonitis**, it is not a specific diagnostic criterion [1]. - True **tendonitis** involves inflammation of a tendon and is usually localized to specific areas, unlike the diffuse tender points of fibromyalgia.

Q: A 45-year-old woman with long-standing rheumatoid arthritis complains of dry eyes and dry mouth. Bilateral enlargement of the parotids is noted on physical examination. The syndrome described here is best described as

Autoimmune. ***Autoimmune*** - The combination of **dry eyes (xerophthalmia)**, **dry mouth (xerostomia)**, **parotid enlargement**, and a history of **rheumatoid arthritis** points to **Sjögren's syndrome**, which is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by lymphocytic infiltration of exocrine glands. - Sjögren's syndrome is frequently associated with other autoimmune diseases, with **rheumatoid arthritis** being the most common secondary autoimmune condition [1]. *Metastatic* - **Metastatic** refers to the spread of cancer from its primary site to other parts of the body. - The patient's symptoms of dry eyes, dry mouth, and parotid enlargement are not typical manifestations of metastatic disease. *Metabolic* - **Metabolic** conditions involve disturbances in the body's chemical processes, such as diabetes or thyroid disorders. - While some metabolic conditions can cause systemic symptoms, the specific constellation of dry eyes, dry mouth, and parotid enlargement is not characteristic of a primary metabolic disorder. *Infectious* - **Infectious** diseases are caused by pathogenic microorganisms. - Although some infections can cause dry mouth or parotid gland enlargement (e.g., mumps), the chronic nature of the symptoms, associated dry eyes, and chronic rheumatoid arthritis are inconsistent with an acute infectious process.

Q: A 30-year-old male has had multiple episodes of sudden, severe pain, redness, and swelling of metatarsophalangeal joint of his great toes. These problems seem to occur after the man has had a night out on the town with his friends, when they go barhopping, and the night usually ends with a cab ride home for the group. This problem would also be exacerbated if the man eats which one of the following during his night out?

Chopped liver. ***Chopped liver*** - This patient's symptoms (sudden, severe pain, redness, and swelling of the **metatarsophalangeal joint of the great toe**) are classic for **gout** [2]. - **Chopped liver** is very high in **purines**, which are metabolized to uric acid and can trigger or exacerbate gout attacks [1]. *Chicago hot dog* - While hot dogs can contain some purines, they are generally not as high in purine content as organ meats like liver, making them less likely to be a primary trigger for gout. - The most significant dietary triggers for gout are typically **red meat**, **organ meats**, **certain seafood**, and **alcohol** [1]. *Hamburger* - A typical hamburger patty (ground beef) contains purines, but often less than organ meats, and may not be as strong a trigger for gout compared to liver. - The preparation and size of the hamburger would influence its purine content, but it's generally not the highest purine food. *Nachos and salsa* - Nachos and salsa are generally not rich in purines and are unlikely to directly trigger a gout flare. - While other ingredients or high-fat content might have indirect effects on metabolism, they are not primary dietary risk factors for hyperuricemia.

Q: Bony erosions are seen in the following except -

SLE. ***SLE*** - **Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)** is primarily a connective tissue disease characterized by inflammation, but it typically causes **non-erosive arthritis** [1]. - While joint pain and inflammation are common, **bony erosions** are a classic feature of inflammatory arthropathies like rheumatoid arthritis or spondyloarthropathies, not SLE [1]. *Psoriasis* - **Psoriatic arthritis**, a form of spondyloarthritis associated with psoriasis, frequently causes **bony erosions**, particularly in the small joints of the hands and feet [1]. - It can also lead to characteristic radiographic changes like the "**pencil-in-cup**" deformity and periostitis [1]. *Osteoarthritis* - **Osteoarthritis** is characterized by cartilage degradation, but it can lead to **subchondral bone erosions** in advanced stages, particularly in severely affected joints. - These erosions are often accompanied by **osteophytes** and **subchondral sclerosis**. *Gout* - **Gout** is caused by the deposition of urate crystals, which can lead to characteristic **bony erosions** known as "punched-out" lesions or **tophi** on radiographs [2]. - These erosions often have an **overhanging edge** appearance, particularly around the affected joints.

Q: All of the following are features of scleroderma except:

Calcification in long bones. ***Calcification in long bones*** - While **calcinosis** (cutaneous calcification) can occur in scleroderma, **calcification within the long bones themselves** is not a typical feature of the disease. - Scleroderma primarily affects connective tissue, leading to fibrosis and vascular changes, rather than direct calcification of the bone matrix. *Skin contracture* - **Skin contractures** are a hallmark of scleroderma, resulting from excessive collagen deposition and fibrosis in the skin [1]. - This leads to thickening and hardening of the skin, causing reduced mobility and contractures, especially in the hands and face [1]. *Dysphagia* - **Dysphagia** (difficulty swallowing) is a common manifestation in scleroderma due to fibrosis and smooth muscle atrophy in the esophagus. - This can impair esophageal motility, leading to acid reflux and difficulty moving food down the digestive tract. *Raynaud's phenomenon* - **Raynaud's phenomenon** is often one of the earliest and most prevalent symptoms of scleroderma, affecting nearly all patients. - It involves episodic vasospasm of the digital arteries in response to cold or stress, causing characteristic color changes (white, blue, red) in the fingers and toes [1].

Q: False positive rheumatoid factor can be associated with all except:

Inflammatory bowel disease. ***Inflammatory bowel disease*** - **Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)**, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, is typically associated with a **negative rheumatoid factor**. - While IBD can have extra-intestinal manifestations, including joint pain (arthralgia or arthritis), this is usually seronegative for RF. [1] *HBsAg* - **Chronic viral infections** such as **chronic hepatitis B (HBsAg positivity)** can lead to immune complex formation and stimulate the production of rheumatoid factor, resulting in a false-positive result. [2] - This is an example of **polyclonal B-cell activation** that can occur in certain chronic infections. [2] *Coombs test* - The **Coombs test** (direct or indirect) detects antibodies against red blood cells and is unrelated to rheumatoid factor. [1] - A positive Coombs test is indicative of **autoimmune hemolytic anemia** and does not cause a false-positive rheumatoid factor. *VDRL* - The **Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL)** test can be falsely positive in various autoimmune conditions and infections, including those that can also cause a false-positive rheumatoid factor. [2] - While VDRL directly tests for syphilis, **syphilis** itself is a known cause of **false-positive rheumatoid factor** due to generalized immune stimulation. [2]

Q: Heberdens nodes are the clinical manifestations seen in -

Osteoarthritis. Explanation: ***Osteoarthritis*** - **Heberden's nodes** are characteristic bony enlargements of the **distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints** of the fingers, resulting from osteophyte formation due to osteoarthritis [1]. - They are a common sign of **degenerative joint disease**, particularly in older adults and are often associated with genetic predisposition and trauma [1]. *Reactive arthritis* - This condition typically affects larger joints in the lower extremities, often following a genitourinary or gastrointestinal infection. - It does not characteristically involve the formation of **Heberden's nodes** on the DIP joints. *Rheumatoid arthritis* - **Rheumatoid arthritis** primarily affects the small joints of the hands and feet, but it causes **inflammatory synovial hypertrophy** and erosions, not bony nodes like Heberden's [2]. - This condition is characterized by **symmetric polyarthritis** and often spares the DIP joints, while affecting the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) and metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints [2]. *Ankylosing spondylitis* - **Ankylosing spondylitis** is a chronic inflammatory disease primarily affecting the **axial skeleton**, particularly the sacroiliac joints and spine. - It does not typically cause peripheral joint involvement leading to symptoms like **Heberden's nodes**.

Q: 40-year-old patient having arthritis of PIP and DIP along with carpometacarpal joint of thumb and sparing of wrist and metacarpophalangeal joint, most likely diagnosis is

osteoarthritis. ***Osteoarthritis*** - This classic presentation of arthritis in the **PIP, DIP**, and **first carpometacarpal (CMC) joint** with sparing of the wrist and MCP joints is highly characteristic of **osteoarthritis** [1]. - **Osteoarthritis** primarily affects cartilage and bone, leading to pain and stiffness, and commonly involves these specific hand joints [1]. *Pseudo gout* - Pseudo gout, or **calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease (CPPD)**, typically causes acute, monoarticular or oligoarticular arthritis, often affecting larger joints like the knee or wrist [3]. - While it can affect the hand, its presentation is usually more acute and less chronic, and it does not typically show the joint distribution described here. *Psoriatic arthritis* - **Psoriatic arthritis** can affect the DIP joints and can cause a "sausage digit" (dactylitis), but it often also involves the wrist or other joints, and skin/nail changes of psoriasis would typically be present. - While it can involve the DIP joints, the classic sparing of wrist and MCP for this specific pattern is less typical for psoriatic arthritis compared to osteoarthritis. *Rheumatoid arthritis* - **Rheumatoid arthritis** typically affects the **MCP joints** and **wrists symmetrically**, often sparing the DIP joints [2]. - The presented pattern of joint involvement, especially the sparing of the MCP and wrist joints and involvement of the DIP and CMC joints, makes rheumatoid arthritis unlikely [2].

Q: True about subcutaneous nodules in Rheumatic fever:

Non tender. ***Non tender*** - Subcutaneous nodules in **rheumatic fever** are typically **firm**, **painless**, and **non-tender** to palpation. - Their non-tender nature distinguishes them from other inflammatory nodules and is a key diagnostic feature. *Most common manifestation* - Subcutaneous nodules are a **minor manifestation** of rheumatic fever, occurring in a small percentage of cases (around 10%). - The most common manifestations are **arthralgia/arthritis** and **carditis** [1]. *Present in flexor surfaces* - These nodules are typically found on the **extensor surfaces** of joints, such as the elbows, knees, wrists, and ankles, as well as over tendons and bony prominences. - Their presence on **flexor surfaces** is uncommon. *Associated with arthritis* - While both can occur in rheumatic fever, subcutaneous nodules and arthritis are **separate major manifestations** according to the Jones criteria [1]. - Their presence together does not imply a direct causal or concurrent association; one can occur without the other.

Question 1

A 65-year-old man with history of back pain since 3 months. ESR is raised. On examination marked stiffness and mild restriction of chest movements is found. On x-ray, syndesmophytes are present in vertebrae. Diagnosis is -

Accepted Answer

Ankylosing spondylitis

Answer

Lumbar canal stenosis

Answer

Degenerative osteoarthritis of spine

Answer

Ankylosing hyperosteosis

Question 2

Based on 1990 ACR criteria, the diagnosis of fibromyalgia is made in patients with a history of diffuse musculoskeletal pain and which of the following physical findings:

Accepted Answer

11 of 18 tender points

Answer

Symmetrical joint tenderness

Answer

Muscle weakness

Answer

Multiple areas of tendonitis

Question 3

A 45-year-old woman with long-standing rheumatoid arthritis complains of dry eyes and dry mouth. Bilateral enlargement of the parotids is noted on physical examination. The syndrome described here is best described as

Accepted Answer

Autoimmune

Answer

Metastatic

Answer

Metabolic

Answer

Infectious

Question 4

A 30-year-old male has had multiple episodes of sudden, severe pain, redness, and swelling of metatarsophalangeal joint of his great toes. These problems seem to occur after the man has had a night out on the town with his friends, when they go barhopping, and the night usually ends with a cab ride home for the group. This problem would also be exacerbated if the man eats which one of the following during his night out?

Accepted Answer

Chopped liver

Answer

Chicago hot dog

Answer

Hamburger

Answer

Nachos and salsa

Question 5

Bony erosions are seen in the following except -

Accepted Answer

SLE

Answer

Psoriasis

Answer

Osteoarthritis

Answer

Gout

Question 6

All of the following are features of scleroderma except:

Accepted Answer

Calcification in long bones

Answer

Skin contracture

Answer

Dysphagia

Answer

Raynaud's phenomenon

Question 7

False positive rheumatoid factor can be associated with all except:

Accepted Answer

Inflammatory bowel disease

Answer

HBsAg

Answer

Coombs test

Answer

VDRL

Question 8

Heberdens nodes are the clinical manifestations seen in -

Accepted Answer

Osteoarthritis

Answer

Reactive arthritis

Answer

Rheumatoid arthritis

Answer

Ankylosing spondylitis

Question 9

40-year-old patient having arthritis of PIP and DIP along with carpometacarpal joint of thumb and sparing of wrist and metacarpophalangeal joint, most likely diagnosis is

Accepted Answer

osteoarthritis

Answer

pseudo gout

Answer

psoriatic arthritis

Answer

rheumatoid arthritis

Question 10

True about subcutaneous nodules in Rheumatic fever:

Accepted Answer

Non tender

Answer

Most common manifestation

Answer

Present in flexor surfaces

Answer

Associated with arthritis

Rheumatology and Immunology — MCQs

Rheumatology and Immunology — MCQs

On this page

Practice by Chapter

Want unlimited practice?